Review

Anton Bruckner
Erinnerung:

Arranged by Ralph Sauer

Trombone and piano

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2020
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and solo part.

Primary Genre: Solo Tenor Trombone - with piano

Anton Bruckner is well-known for his symphonies, but lesser-known for his piano compositions. Erinnerung (“Memory”) is his most famous piano solo composition, with many recordings and arrangements. Written in 1868, its composition fell between Bruckner’s first and second symphony. It displays simple beauty and true romantic style.

Sauer’s arrangement of Erinnerung translates well to the trombone. The natural singing melodic line lends itself beautifully to an instrument that can sustain the long notes in the melody. The arrangement is quite literal, and utilizes the same texture, key, and accompaniment style of the original. The first half has a sparse piano accompaniment, allowing the trombone solo voice to fill in empty space. The second half has a lush, romantic piano accompaniment that allows for dynamic expression from both players. Sauer’s treatment of range is fantastic; octave displacements from the original are undetectable in the solo part. In addition, there are enough well-placed rests to allow the trombonist time to take the horn off the face.

The trombone part is given in tenor clef, ranging from A-flat to d-flat2. No mutes are needed. This is a wonderful recital piece for a college level student. The arrangement is offered in memory of Norman Schweikert, horn professor at Northwestern University and longtime member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, who passed away in 2018.